Hurricane Ian: Storm becomes Category 1 hurricane again as it heads towards Georgia, S.C.
This is a live blog updated throughout the day. Find more stories at SavannahNow.com for coverage of the storm.
Ian has become a Category 1 hurricane once again as it continues its path towards the South Carolina and Georgia coasts.
A hurricane watch, tropical storm warning and storm surge warning are still in effect in coastal Chatham, Bryan, and Liberty counties. A tropical storm warning is still in effect for Effingham County.
Beaufort and Jasper counties have been upgraded to a hurricane warning.
Hurricane Ian: See spaghetti models, path and storm activity for Georgia
School closings: Savannah-area public and private schools announce storm plans
Tropical storm vs. hurricane: Know the differences and what Savannah can expect from Ian
According to the National Hurricane Center, Ian is about 200 miles south-southeast of Savannah with an intensity of around 75 mph. The storm is currently moving north-northeast, or 30 degrees at 10 mph.
The latest wind probability charts suggest Savannah and Georgia would be susceptible to tropical storm force winds further inland than suggested in previous updates as Ian becomes a Category 1 storm again.
"Ian is expected to approach north coastal Georgia and south coastal South Carolina as a hurricane, making landfall on Friday. The risk for impacts will increase beginning this afternoon and continue into Friday night with life- threatening storm surge inundation, flooding rains, isolated tornadoes and tropical storm force winds as the storm approaches the area.
"Wind gusts to hurricane force are also possible, mainly along the immediate coast and around Charleston Harbor. The combination of life-threatening storm surge inundation and heavy rainfall could produce areas of considerable urban and flash flooding, especially Friday."
Hurricane Ian: Bryan, Effingham counties brace for storm impact, potential tornadoes
Both the City of Savannah and Chatham County governments declared state of emergencies on Wednesday. Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for the state on Tuesday.
Bryan County also declared a state of emergency on Wednesday.
What to know before effects of Hurricane Ian hit Savannah
Here are some ways to be prepared for the potential tropical storm force winds and rains on Friday in Savannah:
What to know: Here is what Savannah, Chatham officials want you to know to prepare
Preparation info: Tropical storm and hurricane guide for Savannah and Chatham County
In Spanish: Guía de tormentas tropicales y huracanes para Savannah: Esto es lo que necesita saber
Hurricane Ian: Savannah storm tracker
Zach Dennis is the editor of the arts and culture section, and weekly Do Savannah alt-weekly publication at the Savannah Morning News. He can be reached at zdennis@savannahnow.com or 912-239-7706.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Hurricane Ian: Storm becomes Category 1 hurricane ahead of SC landfall
